8 Facts About Fibroids Every Woman Should Know

1. Fibroids are More Common Than You Think

It’s estimated that as many as 80% of women aged 50 or older will develop uterine fibroids at some point. Since many women may not experience symptoms, sufferers can feel like they are alone in their struggle but the reality is quite different.

2.  They Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

There are 4 main types of fibroids, each in a different location and growing to different sizes:

• Intramural fibroids - these grow in the wall of the uterus itself.

• Subserosal fibroids - these are the most common type of fibroid and start as intramural before projecting outside the uterus.

• Submucosal fibroids - these fibroids are uncommon, and grow inside the uterus and project into the space where a baby grows during pregnancy.
  
  
• Pedunculated fibroids - these grow on a stalk attached to the uterus and are the least common type of fibroid.

Fibroids can also grow to various sizes, ranging anywhere from 1mm in diameter to 20cm. In extreme cases fibroids have been known to grow to the size of a watermelon.

3. They Can Be Asymptomatic

Fibroids won’t always show symptoms, which is why many women may have fibroids but don’t know it. A 2017 study surveyed almost 5,000 women and found that the most commonly reported symptoms of fibroids were:

• Lower back pain (65%), 
• Fatigue/weariness (63%), 
• Bloating (61%), 
• Pelvic pain/cramping during menses (63%), and 
• Heavy bleeding during menses (54%). 

For those women who have no symptoms, fibroids can often go untreated and do not need to be removed.

4. The Exact Causes Are Unknown

Despite extensive research into fibroids, experts still aren’t sure about what causes fibroids. Some factors that can increase your risk are:

• Family history – if your mother, sister, or grandmother have fibroids, you may have a higher risk
• Pregnancy – hormone changes during pregnancy can cause fibroids to develop and grow quickly
• Obesity – obesity is a risk factor for a wide variety of health conditions, and some studies have shown that an unhealthy weight may affect the development of uterine fibroids
• Blood pressure – having a higher than average blood pressure for your age has been shown to have a relationship to uterine fibroids.
• Age – women over age 40 are much more likely to develop fibroids.
• Diet – a diet high in red meat and alcohol and low in green vegetables, fruit, and dairy may increase the risk of developing fibroids, although this is yet to be conclusively proven.
• Early-onset of puberty – some studies have found that women who entered puberty at an earlier than average age have an increased chance of developing fibroids.
  
  
  

5. Fibroids Do Not Increase Your Chance of Cancer

Although they are technically a tumour, only 1 in 1000 cases will be cancerous. They also don’t increase your risk of developing uterine cancer.

6. Fibroids Do Not Always Impact Fertility

Fortunately, most women who have fibroids can fall pregnant naturally.

However, fibroids can be found in about 10% of infertile women and may be the cause of infertility in about 1-2%. So even if you do have fibroids, the chance of them affecting your ability to conceive is low.

For those small percentage of women who are having trouble conceiving because of fibroids, ReproductiveFacts.org list the following possible issues:

• Changes in the shape of the cervix can affect the number of sperm that can enter the uterus.
  
  
• Changes in the shape of the uterus can interfere with the movement of the sperm or embryo.
• Fallopian tubes can be blocked by fibroids.
• They can impact the size of the lining of the uterine cavity.
• Blood flow to the uterine cavity can be affected. This can decrease the ability of an embryo to stick (implant) to the uterine wall or to develop.

It’s usually about the location of the fibroids. Research has shown that the critical factor in whether fibroids will cause fertility or not is the size and location, particularly whether they are protruding into the uterine cavity. 

7. There Doesn’t Appear to Be a Predictable Growth Rate

Fibroids grow at different rates in different women. In some women they can grow very quickly, becoming a problem in the space of a few months. For others, it may take years for them to grow large enough to be noticed (and may still not cause any symptoms or issues).

We do know that the onset of menopause can shrink fibroids, and experts believe this is due to a decline in estrogen levels.

8. There are Multiple Treatment Options

Most women think a hysterectomy is their only solution. While it does remain the only true way to completely remove, it’s not the only option available.

Treatment options for fibroids include:

• Medication: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists block estrogen and progesterone, inducing a menopause-like state, helping to shrink fibroids. IUDs can also help relieve symptoms but won’t actually treat the fibroids.
• Myomectomy: a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while leaving the uterus intact.
• Hysterectomy: complete removal of the uterus.
• Uterine Fibroid Embolisation: a minimally-invasive procedure offered by Interventional Radiologists that uses a tiny catheter to place a blocking device in the arteries supplying blood to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and die over time. 

If you do have fibroids, or are showing common symptoms and want to be tested, we would be happy to see you at Northern Beaches Interventional Radiology where we specialise in fibroid treatment and removal using the minimally invasive Uterine Fibroid Embolisation procedure. Book a consultation with Dr Quigley today.